Christmas, Kuban-style. With her band, The Sarahbanda, Sarah Willis brings festive cheer to the stage – full of that familiar Christmas atmosphere, but with a Caribbean flair.
With a twinkle in her eye, Willis explains that on her first visit to Cuba, a planned masterclass was merely a pretext – she had actually travelled there to dance salsa. But from the very first moment, the Berlin Philharmonic’s horn player fell head over heels in love with the country, its people, its morbid charm, its zest for life and, of course, the music of the colourful Caribbean island. Now she’s celebrating Christmas with her favourite Cubans, as well as European Christmas classics, set alight by son, salsa, mambo and bolero. An irresistible mix – festive and fiery at the same time. Or, as Sarah Willis puts it: “Cuban Christmas is a celebration of culture, togetherness and the music that makes this time of year so magical.”
The Sarahbanda:SarahWillis, horn & presenter; Yuniet Lombida Prieto, saxophone; Harold Madrigal Frías, trumpet; Ernesto Oliva, piano; Jenny Peña Campo, violin; Amelia Febles Díaz, violin; Hugo Hidalgo Herrera, viola; Sarah Sofia Gutiérrez, cello; Carlos García, double bass; Alejandro Aguiar, percussion; Jesús Estrada, percussion; Adel González, percussion
Special Guest: Carlos Calunga, vocals
Cuban Christmas. Christmas music from Bach to Gershwin, including the Cuban version of *The Nutcracker*, *Feliz Navidad* (Source: KTK Heinersdorff)
